Chapter 13

The low throng of the brass bell signified the end of school. Each sound resonating was a signal of freedom, a reminder that the day long anticipated by all pupils had finally come. School was out for the holidays and would not resume until well after New Years. For most of the girls who poured from the front doors of the all girls academy, the last few hours of the day had been counted down to the precise minute of freedom, that was all they were waiting on, liberation from school and work. However, for two young ladies the last few hours was not just a countdown to the end of school, but also a countdown to the end of a punishment.

Miriam stood on the steps in front of the school, waving as all of her friends left for the holidays. She was waiting patiently, as patiently as she could in thirty-degree weather. The afternoon was overcast and freezing and yet she didn't mind. After Michaela came out they were going to do the last little bit of Christmas shopping they had left. They had coordinated the little shopping venture through notes over the past week and, after Michaela's father gave his permission, the girls looked forward to a fun afternoon together- their first in almost three weeks. Yet now the afternoon had ceased to begin because Michaela still hadn't made it from class. Miriam only hoped that something wasn't wrong.

A few more minutes waiting brought Michaela's form running from the building and hurling toward Miriam. Tackling her full force, Michaela wrapped her arms around her best friend and enjoyed the feeling that there was, once again, someone that loved her deeply in this world, someone she could share her problems with (if she had any at the moment) and know that they'd listen.

"Michaela!"Miriam cried hugging her friend fiercely. "I thought you were never coming out! What were you doing in there so long?" Michaela just shrugged off her excitement.

"Mr. Johnson said that my arithmetic is getting so good, he gave me another book to start on." Michaela patted at the side of her bag, feeling the new, shiny, unopened book press hard against her fingertips. In reality, she couldn't wait to get home to try it out, but she was going to do her best to enjoy her time with Miriam today. Deciding to change the subject, Michaela started to skip down the sidewalk. "So what are we doing this afternoon?"

"I thought we were shopping."

"We are, but who are we shopping for and for what are we looking?"

"Well, I still have to find something for Robert." At the sound of this Michaela's nose turned up a little.

"Oh," she sighed. "Did he ever get my letter?"

"He did. He thought it was very kind of you, but he said it was truly his fault. He never meant for you to get into trouble. He never would have said anything if he knew Dr. Quinn had already arrived."

Michaela nodded slightly, she had no doubt that everything Miriam said was true. No matter her horror at having to apologize, she felt slightly satisfied that Robert felt guilty. "It's alright, I suppose, all in the past." Miriam knew well enough to allow the subject to drop. She changed the direction of the conversation.

"What about you? Must you shop for Dr. Quinn's present?"

"No, I actually found his gift two weeks ago."

"Two whole weeks?" Miriam was impressed.

"Yes, aren't your proud? I found him the perfect new chain for his pocket watch. It's simply gorgeous. He's needed one for quite a while; the links had gotten all knotted up."

"So what are you looking for today?"

"I have to find something for Marjorie. I haven't seen her in so long and I want her present to be just perfect."

"Has she written what she would like?"

Michaela screwed up her face before answering disappointedly. "No, in fact she hasn't written me since she left in August. I used to keep hoping she'd send something, but Father said that school gets so busy during the year that it's all right that she doesn't remember to write." Michaela said the last bit as if trying to convince herself. Regardless of how busy Marjorie had been this semester, Michaela knew that part of the reason her sister didn't write was because Marjorie didn't want to have anything to do with her, and that was something Michaela just couldn't understand. Of course, Michaela knew when she was younger she wasn't that much fun, but now she was older and they could be sisters, not as she and Rebecca were sisters, but the kind of sisters that could talk about dresses and books and perhaps even oneday boys. Michaela had always hoped that one day Marjorie would decide that she wanted to spend time with her, and so a little part of her thought that if she found the perfect gift for her sister, Marjorie would realize that she was still there.

"So do you have anything in mind?"

"I was thinking about some perfume in a pretty bottle. I think she may be able to wear it to the New Year's Dance." Miriam nodded.

"Ok, then we'll start at the little boutique on Charles Street."

The low, throaty virtuoso of the string quartet rang through the halls of Ms. Peabody's, illuminating the rooms with the brilliance of music, which blended with laughter and conversation. It was the Christmas dance, the part of the year that all girls had waited for and most of the boys of St. Peter's had dreaded, and here it was.

The first of the evening had been a terrific success. Dinner was delicious and each girl was able to implement most of the skills that they had spent the year learning, the art of conversation, exemplary table manners, and that fluttery little laughter that seemed to come so naturally to most. Each of the St. Peter's boys seemed to be captivated by one girl or another through the course of the night and by the time the music had started most everyone had paired up to some extent, working in their implemented social structures of the evening. However, as with most cases there were a few who hadn't made that critical connection- Marjorie Quinn being one of them.

Marjorie knew the moment she saw the seating chart for dinner that she'd inevitably become invisible by the time the dancing started. Although the arrangement was boy, girl, boy, girl, Kathleen was sitting across from her. There was no chance for Marjorie, Kathleen stole the show wherever she went and tonight would be no different. Therefore, Marjorie didn't even try. Of course she smiled and laughed; she answered the questions asked of her and interjected thoughts in order that the conversation didn't lag, but the brilliance and vitality with which all the other girls seemed to attack the evening simply was not found in Marjorie. That was all right with her, however, for she was still enjoying the earlier aspects of the evening.

Marjorie's new dress had been an instant sensation. Not only did she feel like the most beautiful creature in the world, but she also managed to obtain compliments from every girl at Ms. Peabody's. She could still see it, the moment she walked out of her and Sarah's room. Kathleen had been sitting at the vanity amidst a cluster of girls who were going on about her hair and jewelry, and yet the moment Marjorie was spotted the squeals turned to her.

"Where did you get that dress?"

"You look simply ravishing, Marjorie."

"That necklace is perfect, did you plan them together?"

"Oh do you have any ideas for your hair? If not I think I know just the perfect coiffure."

The girls seemed to gather around her, closing in. In most occasions Marjorie wouldn't have been able to breathe with all the commotion, but the simple fact that they were so infatuated with her dress and her hair was something she didn't get to enjoy on most occasions- that and she so enjoyed the look of shock that had deformed the pretty features of Kathleen's face. Marjorie did indeed enjoy this feeling, but the moment she laid eyes on Sarah, standing by herself next to the window, Marjorie began to extricate herself from the mob of bows and crinolines.

"See? I told you you'd look beautiful." Sarah smiled sincerely at her friend. Rarely did she see such a smile spread across Marjorie's face, and Sarah new it was sincere.

"You did. I never should have doubted you. Would you do my hair if you've any time after you dress? I think you would make it look beautiful."

"I'd be honored."

Nearly three hours later and Marjorie still felt just as beautiful, and so it was perfectly fine that she and Sarah stood in the corner of the room watching everyone else twirl and spin about them. They had danced a few times a piece but no intense connections had been made. That is until…

"Oh!" Sarah's little voice squeaked over the music as she jumped slightly.

"Oh dear, what' the matter?" Marjorie was confused, and even more so after Sarah grabbed her arm in order to position them with their back turned toward the door. When Marjorie managed a good look at her friend, she realized that Sarah was bright red. "Sarah?"

"By the door…" Sarah whispered loudly, her eyes shooting over to where the two figures had been standing. "No don't look!"

"How do you expect me to know what you're talking about if I don't look?"

Sarah huffed at the dilemma and made a rapid decision. "Ok, look but only quickly." As Marjorie followed instructions, she heard Sarah's voice in her ear. "They're the boys we saw out in front of St Peters that time we walked through the park…. The ones who saw us too."

Quickly Marjorie's mind scanned over the days before her birthday. Their afternoon walk in the park stood out, and, as she sifted through the events of that walk, the faces of the short dark headed boy and the tall blonde waving at them most certainly came to mind. As she stood there now, she saw the same two boys making their way across the room- to her.

"Try to get a hold of yourself, they're coming this way."

"Wha…?" Sarah's voice was swallowed up as the song ended and the dancers gaily applause their musicians. They boys were coming closer and by the time the next song had started the four young adults were standing face to face.

"I don't know if it's proper or not, but I dare must say your too look vaguely familiar." The blonde boy spoke, his eyes scanning between Marjorie and Sarah before finally resting on the latter, who blushed fiercely under his gaze.

"We were wondering if it would be to forward of us if we took this opportunity to introduce ourselves- without the benefit of a third party." The dark headed boy seemed to watch Marjorie with the same piercing gaze and for a moment, she seemed to be stunned as if in a trance. He was so… so… handsome. She had never felt anything quite like it before, but she felt a little jump in her chest when he spoke. It felt as though he were speaking only to her.

Realizing no one had answered him, Marjorie grinned as saucily as she could manage. "Oh, but I do believe we have met before, you see. We just didn't take the opportunity to share our names, so there would be no need of a third party." Her eyes seemed to twinkle as if presenting a challenge that wasn't a challenge at all.

"Yes, I do believe you are correct. I assume you are referring to that day you two were spying on us leaving school." The dark headed boys matched her gaze, sealing Marjorie to the floor. She couldn't move even if she had wanted to. However, immobile she may have been, she most certainly could still comprehend his words.

"Spying, sir? Ladies never spy!" She mocked, rolling her eyes, which produced a deep chuckle from the young man standing across from her.

"No, they don't, do they. Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Benjamin Grisham, and this," he clapped his friendly loudly on the back, "is Christopher Watson."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, formally." Christopher responded taking somewhat of a bow. Marjorie had to laugh before turning her eyes back to Benjamin.

"And you are?" He asked, curiosity dripping in his voice.

"I'm Marjorie Quinn."

"And what about you. We haven't heard from you yet." Christopher prodded Sarah gently until she finally released a shy smile.

"I'm Sarah Clarkson. It's nice to meet you." Her meek voice could barely be heard over the music and yet Christopher still managed to smile.

As the conversation continued for a while, Marjorie became increasingly aware that most of the girls in the room who were not dancing were watching them. This included Kathleen who was standing in the corner, pretending to talk to Jason all the while staring unabashedly over her beau's shoulder. Although Marjorie wasn't sure what was going on, she had a feeling that everyone had noticed something she had missed.

"May we offer you ladies anything? A seat, a drink…" Benjamin bent toward Marjorie," a dance?"

"As much as a dance would sound wonderful, I believe that Sarah and I would like a glass of punch first." Smiling sweetly, she met Benjamin's playful grin and watched them leave. Feeling like she was floating on air, Marjorie knew that if she had turned to face Sarah she would have found a bright red girl whose heart was beating just as fast as her own, but she didn't have the chance to because as soon as they boys had left it seemed that Alanna magically appeared by their side.

"When were you going to tell us?" She asked expectantly before turning to nod to her friends, assuredly. They didn't have to worry about anything Alanna knew she would get all the information that was needed, but she had to admit that she was surprised by the apparent calmness on Marjorie's face.

"Tell you what? About Benjamin and Christopher? Oh, we've meet a few times, I didn't think it was pertinent." Marjorie brushed of the utter amazement that was shining on Alanna's face. There was no reason that anyone needed to know that her and Sarah had just been formally introduced to the boys.

"Oh my…" Alanna breathed, her hand rising to her mouth. "You don't know who that is do you?"

"Benjamin Grisham and Christopher Watson?"

"Ha! Benjamin Grisham's father owns the largest bank in the state of Connecticut." Alanna quickly explained before turning her attention to Sarah, who was still standing quietly, observing everything. "Christopher isn't far behind; his father's a grand lawyer in Hartford."

The full magnitude of what Alanna was saying didn't quite settle around Marjorie at once. In fact, it took several moments after the girl had left before Marjorie absorb it all, but soon she realized that she and Sarah an instantly become the envy of the party. All of the Peabody girls were watching them, envious of their catch of the evening. Although Marjorie had never wanted to court, to have a boy cater to her as if she couldn't managed things on her own, she found that she enjoyed the way she felt when he talked to her or brought her a drink, and to top it off nothing could beat the looks Kathleen was sending her way. Smiling indulgently, she watched as the boys returned.

"Thank you." Sarah whispered as she accepted the punch from Christopher. He smiled at her widely. He had to admit, not only did he find Miss Clarkson fetching, but her shy and quiet demeanor was sweet.

"You're very welcome." Christopher wasn't sure what to say next, but found some common ground. "So, are you from Connecticut?" Christopher watched as the meek girl before him seemed to beam to life as she smiled. She obviously loved her home.

"No, I'm from New York City, a beautiful little part just outside the city."

"You know I've always wanted to go to New York. Would you tell me a little about it?"

While Sarah and Christopher continued to talk, Marjorie and Benjamin had fallen into their own conversation.

"So what'd she say?" Benjamin asked throwing his head in the direction that Alanna fled.

"Excuse me?"

"Your friend."

Marjorie laughed. "Alanna is not my friend; she's more of a constant presence."

"So, what'd she say?"

"She was just telling me some things about you." Marjorie teased and battered her lashes.

"Oh yea? What'd she say?" Intrigued by her, Benjamin stepped a little closer, leaning his tall body over her. Marjorie twisted back and forth on her feet, the motion of a shy little girl, somehow distorting into the frame of a flirtatious young adult. Marjorie blushed, but did not speak. Benjamin lifted his eyes to scan the room. "You realize I have noticed that everyone in this room seems to be watching the two of us."

"Hm, that may have had a little something to do with our conversation." Marjorie whispered, the corners of her mouth pulling into a subtle smile.

Finishing off his punch, Benjamin reached for her glass. "Well what do you say we do some dancing and really give them something talk about tonight?" His eyebrow raised as if in a challenge, but found nothing but agreement. Marjorie Quinn matched him word for word, look for look. She was fiery and impulsive, and Benjamin liked that. It was a challenge. Taking her by the hand, he led her to the center of the room and together, they danced.

"Ha ha ha!" Marjorie's laughter filled the air as she stumbled down the hallway causing her laughter as well as Sarah's to grow. Tripping over her own two feet, Marjorie fell into the wall giggling.

"What are you doing?" Sarah cried, struggling to catch her friend.

"I'm sorry. I think we've reached that time at night where everything is funny!" Marjorie snorted, righting herself and making her way to their room. "Did you see everyone down there? All the looks?"

"We held quite the attention, but I hope it wasn't just for tonight. I think I would like to see Christopher again." Sarah blushed as she lowered her eyes to the carpet on which their feet were treading.

"Oh, I'm sure we will."

Perhaps the best part of balls is the late hour in which everyone goes home to bed. Clothes are left on the floor, shoes are left in their place, and jewelry is placed in a pile on the nightstand as each girl prepared for luxurious sleep in their own warm bed.

Marjorie, however, couldn't help but feel that as she was unraveling layer after layer of her costume that she was extinguishing a spell. The magic of the evening was waning and her mind began to wander to the weeks ahead. She had spent an entire month waiting on this dance to arrive, but now felt incredibly disappointed that it was all over. Now there would be Christmas and New Years with her family, but Marjorie found that the next thing she was excited about was the beginning of the new school year.

There's chapter 13. So many exciting things are getting ready to happen, we have Christmas, a New Year's ball coming, and, of course we must see Claudette and Walter again! Looking forward to hearing what you think guys!